Consultancy Terms of Reference
Strengthening networks for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats
along the west coast of Africa Project (CMB)
Job title
: Consultant for Final Evaluation of the project
Timeframe : January 2015-February 2015. Final report due by 10th February 2015
Reporting to :CMB Project Manager
Start Date
: 2nd January 2015
0. About BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
striving to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards
the sustainable use of natural resources. In Africa, the BirdLife Africa Partnership is a
growing network of 24 such organisations, with a combined total of more than 500 staff and
87,000 members. Through projects, BirdLife is active in a further 15 countries, hence overall
working in a total of 39 countries.
BirdLife’s work in Africa is aligned to the four pillars of the BirdLife strategy: Species, Sites
and Habitats, Ecological Sustainability and People. Within this framework, the BirdLife
Africa Partnership emphasises developing positive linkages between birds, biodiversity and
the livelihoods of people.
The BirdLife Africa Partnership wishes to significantly reduce and reverse the rate of loss of
the region’s biodiversity. Our efforts to achieve this focus on conservation action for priority
species, Important Bird Areas and priority habitats for bird and biodiversity conservation. We
also work to empower local people to analyze threats and develop safeguard options that
suit local socio-economic contexts and use existing indigenous knowledge. Furthermore,
the Partnership is continuously developing alliances with both government and nongovernmental agencies, to promote policies that address the most important threats to
biodiversity. read more
1
Introduction:
Conservation of Migratory Bird project is an NGO-government partnership project for
migratory bird conservation along the coast of West Africa. BirdLife is working foremost
through and with identified national NGO partners, which benefited from strategic and
technical capacity development for their institutional strengthening. This is a key
sustainability strategy to ensure that organisations across the region are able and motivated
to address the conservation of migratory birds at local, national and regional level. However,
the project also ensured that strong relationships are forged with national governments, both
directly and through the advocacy and other actions of national NGOs. This helped in
building strong and sustainable government-NGO partnerships, which can have great
benefits at the site level, especially in and around protected areas, at the national level,
especially through capacity building and advocacy, and at the regional level.
The main envisaged project results are: (1) improved knowledge of the conservation status,
critical sites, habitat requirements, threats to and actions required for migratory birds and
their habitats in West Africa, (2) operational cost-effective and sustainable monitoring
systems, especially to track changes in the status and conservation of migratory birds and
their habitats, (3) strong capacity in the coastal zone of West Africa for migratory bird
research, conservation and management; strong network of environmental NGOs in the
PRCM region with capacity to contribute actively to migratory bird conservation, (4)
participatory conservation of key sites and species leading to improved livelihoods and
enhanced conditions for migratory birds; and (5) lasting NGOs-government-MEA
partnerships contributing to improved conservation status of migratory birds and their
habitats in West Africa through regional policy and advocacy actions. To achieve these
results, the project focused on status of migratory birds, Important Birds Areas and key
habitats along the West African coast(Science and research), development and
implementation of a regional monitoring plan for migratory birds (sustainable monitoring),
training programme focused on migratory bird conservation, and support young graduates
(capacity development), strengthening capacity of environmental NGOs in the coastal zone
of West Africa and promote collaboration between them through a regional network (strong
networks), support a range of participatory conservation projects across the region
embracing conservation and livelihood support (participatory conservation and
management), and building migratory bird conservation into relevant regional and flywaylevel agreements and promote advocacy and awareness of migratory birds in the coastal
zone of West Africa (Policy and Advocacy).
2 Overall Goal
Strong, sustainable and efficient NGO-government networks are formed for the conservation
of biodiversity in the PRCM region, especially for the conservation of migratory birds and
their habitats along the West African coast through a comprehensive programme of targeted
action at the flyway, regional, national and site level.
Objectives:
1. Increase understanding of the conservation status and needs of migratory birds and their
habitats in West Africa.
2. Establish cost-effective and sustainable monitoring systems that will track changes in the
status of migratory birds and their habitats.
3. Develop and strengthen technical capacity for flyway conservation in the region, and
support the development of strong networks and NGO-government partnerships for
engaging in the long-term conservation of migratory birds. Strengthened NGOs and
partnerships will be well placed to attract new sources of funding to make conservation
efforts along the West African coast financially sustainable.
4. Through participatory conservation and management of key sites and species:
a. Take action to prevent the extinction of migratory bird species; reverse
the declines in commoner species and mitigate threats to their habitats.
b. Address sustainable livelihood issues and increase participation of local
communities in migratory bird conservation to ensure long-term
conservation benefits.
c. Improve the conservation status of migratory birds in the coastal zone
of West Africa, with specific plans initiated for selected threatened
species and for promoting ecotourism based on migratory birds.
5. Identify and use opportunities for policy and advocacy work to improve the conservation
status of migratory birds and sites along the coast of West Africa.
3
Project Output
3.1
Output 1:
Improved knowledge of the conservation status, critical sites, habitat requirements, threats
to and actions required for migratory birds and their habitats in West Africa.
3.2 Output 2:
Operational cost-effective and sustainable monitoring systems, especially to track changes
in the status and conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
3.3 Output 3:
Strong capacity in the coastal zone of West Africa for migratory bird research, conservation
and management; strong network of environmental NGOs in the PRCM region with capacity
to contribute actively to migratory bird conservation.
3.4 Output 4:
Participatory conservation of key sites and species leading to improved livelihoods and
enhanced conditions for migratory birds.
3.5 Output 5:
Lasting NGOs-government-MEA partnerships contributing to improved conservation status
of migratory birds and their habitats in West Africa through regional policy and advocacy
actions.
4
Objectives of the Evaluation
The general objectives of the end of project evaluation are:
i.
evaluate the project design in terms of its stated objectives, strategy, and activities;
ii.
assess how well the project achieved the intended impact;
iii.
identify strengths and weaknesses of the project; and
iv.
Make recommendations regarding specific and innovative approaches that could be
replicated in future projects.
v.
The evaluation should also identify lessons learnt that can be shared with the wider
public.
vi.
The evaluation will feed in the development of the second phase of the project
Specifically the end of project evaluation should address the following questions:
1. Was the project design appropriate to achieve the stated objectives and intended
impacts?
2. Was a mid-term evaluation necessary and would it have helped improve the
implementation of the project? If the answer is yes, what areas would have been
improved?
3. Has the project been satisfactorily implemented and intended impact achieved?
4. Are the indicators identified in the logframe valid and have they been satisfactorily
achieved? Are the baseline measurements appropriate to measure project impact
objectively?
5. Where the project implementation and execution modalities operating effectively and
efficiently? Was there a clear division of roles and responsibilities between actors?
Was there effective communication between all the parties? What were the strengths
and weaknesses? How could the implementation and execution modalities been
improved, if there had been a midterm evaluation?
6. What has been the relationship between BirdLife and Project partners?
a) How well has the relationship worked?
b) What have contractual relationships been?
c) What has BirdLife brought to the work?
d) What has been the contribution that the project has made to the overall work
of BirdLife International, Wadden sea Flyway Initiative and Wetlands
International?
7. Regarding the national NGOs:
a) What do national NGOs think about the partnership?
b) How do they appreciate the contribution of the project to their capacity
building and improvement of institutional organization?
c) What are the national NGOs recommendations to improve the project and
make the partnership better?
8. Overall, what kinds of corrections should have been made in order to enhance
impact in line with the stated objectives?
9. Lessons learnt:
a) How could impact/results have been achieved more effectively or efficiently?
b) What has worked particularly well and could be considered ‘best practice’
c) What should be done differently in a similar project in the future?
d) What should not have been done because it had little or negative impact on the
overall objective?
Special issues to be addressed:
 Capacity of National NGOs: the capacity needs assessment of NGOs project
partners indicated that the capacity differences between NGOs were very wide. Key
areas for development were identified and some addressed. A series of training were
organised and recommendations done for their development. The evaluator should
review how the impact of the capacity building of the national NGOs development
with suggestions and recommendations for their future support in institutional
organisation and conservations actions. Concrete recommendations for capacity
building activities, for each NGO, will be proposed.
5

Participatory conservation projects: As part of the CMB project, all seven project
partners in West Africa developed and implemented small grants. The projects took
place at key sites and made improvement in the knowledge and conservation status
of migratory birds and their habitats along the West coast of Africa. The NGOs
engaged local communities in implementation of the small grants and developed
capacity of the later to sustain the outcomes beyond the project phase. The
evaluator should look carefully on impact of the small grants on birds, habitats and
local community livelihood and make appropriate recommendations.

Partnership: The project aimed at building efficient NGO-government networks for
the conservation of biodiversity in the PRCM region, especially for the conservation
of migratory birds and their habitats along the West African coast through a
comprehensive programme of targeted actions at the flyway, regional, national and
site level. The evaluator should determine how well this objective has been achieved
and make appropriate suggestions and recommendations for the way forward to
improve the relation and collaboration between NGOs and Governments.
Products Expected from the Evaluation
A report which should be structured as follows
5.1
Acronyms and Terms
5.2 Executive Summary
The executive summary should briefly explain how the evaluation was conducted and
provide a summary of contents of the report and its findings.
5.3 Introduction
The introduction should contain the purpose of the evaluation, key issues addressed,
methodology of the evaluation, structure of the evaluation
5.4 The Project and its context
This section should include the project start and its duration, issues that the project seeks to
address. It should describe how effectively the project concept and design can deal with the
situation, with focus on the consistency and logic of the project strategy and logical
framework. Planning documents i.e., the project document (especially the logical framework
and matrix) and work plans should be reviewed.
5.5 Implementation
This should focus on the execution and implementation modalities, coordination and
operation issues, adequacy of monitoring mechanisms. Review whether the activities and
outputs were completed within budget and on schedule. The indicators at the output level
will help determine implementation progress.
5.6 Project results
This section should be an assessment of how successful the project was in terms of
achieving its specific and overall objectives. It should also try to answer the question: What
happened and why? The impact indicators in the logframe matrix are crucial in the
completion of this section.
5.7 Findings
List the main points or conclusions of the evaluation.
5.8 Recommendations
The evaluator should be as specific as possible. S/he should indicate to whom the
recommendations are addressed and what exactly should be taken in account for the
improvement of the 2nd phase project proposal.
5.9 Lessons learned
This is a list of lessons that will be useful for the preparation of the 2nd phase of the project
and may be for similar projects in the future or elsewhere..
5.10 List of Annexes (Terms of Reference, Itinerary, Persons contacted and
interviewed)
6
Methodology of the evaluation
The consultant will begin the evaluation with a review of key project documentation including
key reports and correspondence. It will include visits to Senegal and Mauritania. Skype
meeting will be organised with other implementing NGOs and other project partners. Field
visits to the project site at Keur Macen (Diawling) and in Senegal (to be identified by NCD).
The Evaluator will meet with NGOs (NatMau and NCD), Local community groups and other
Partners.
7 The evaluation process
7.1
Evaluation Team.
Evaluation will be done by one International consultant.
7.2 Competencies
Essential
The external consultant must:
i.
Have demonstrable experience with result-based management evaluation
methodologies
ii.
Have strong analytical skills
iii.
Have demonstrated expertise in qualitative evaluation methodologies,
iv.
Have demonstrable experience of preparing quality final evaluation reports in English
v.
Have experience in capacity building project evaluation and national NGO coaching
vi.
A background in biodiversity and conservation /related subject
Desirable
i.
Previous experience of evaluating and assessing the impact of conservation projects,
especially conservation of birds.
ii.
Spoken and written French for interviews and reviewing documents
7.3 Travel and logistics
Travel to Senegal and Mauritania and logistic arrangements for the consultancy are outlined
in the table 1:
Table 1: Travel and logistic arrangements to and from Senegal, to and from Mauritania
Activity
Who?
When?
1.
Travel to Senegal
Consultant
January 5, 2015
2.
Accommodation
other
logistics
Senegal
3.
Travel to
Mauritania
4.
Accommodation
other
logistics
Mauritania
5.
Travel from Senegal
and
and NCD and consultant
in
from Consultant
and NatMau, and Consultant
in
Consultant
January 6-8, 2015
January 9 and 15,
2015
January9-13,
2015
January 17, 2015
7.4 Activities and timing
The activities and duration of the consultancy which will last for 17 days are outlined in the
table 2.
Table 2: Activities and duration
Activity
Duration
BirdLife to provide all relevant documents to
consultant including the approved project proposal
Deadline
December28th,
2015
document; original project logframe; amended
logframes; Annual Project Reports, including
financial information; case studies; other technical
reports produced
Desk study of project documents
reports provided by BirdLife
and various 2 days
Travel to Senegal
1 day
January 2, 2015
January 5, 2015
¨Meeting with Project Manager, FIBA, WIA, NCD, 2 days
DPN, UTS AEWA
Travel to Mauritania meeting with NatMau, DAPL, 2 days
Diawling NP,
Site visit to Diawling and meetings with site support 2 days
group in Keur Macen, , Diawling Chief warden
January 6-8, 2015
Preparation of field report and debrief on field visit
January 13, 2015
January 14, 2015
Travel back to Dakar
1 day
1 day
Skype meeting Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, 2 days
Gambia, Guinea, Cape Verde, WSFI
Preparation of draft report
January 9-10, 2015
January11-12, 2015
January15-16, 2015
3 days
Draft report sent to BirdLife International
January 23, 2015
Draft report with comments returned to consultant
February 3, 2015
Final report sent to BirdLife International
Total
1day
February 10, 2015.
17 days
8 Tender Requirements
Consultants meeting the person specific requirements should email their tender to Evans
Siaw at evans.siaw@birdlife.org by Friday 28 November, 2014. Please ensure you email a
copy to Geoffroy Citegetse at geoffroy.citegetse@birdlife.org.
Application procedure
This tender should be comprised of the following
 Technical and financial proposal
 Cover page, explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the work
 Personal CV including past experiences in relevant field/area: this should clearly
demonstrate how you meet the person specific requirement, be 3 page maximum,
include 2 professional referees, including one former client who knows your work